Centrifugal machine and process involving the use of the same



1,634 246 June 28 1927' D. JONES ET AL CEN'I'RIFUGAL MACHINE AND PROCESS INVOLVING THE USE OF THE SAME Filed May 1, 192 4 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 fi VENTOR M2? min ww m A TTORIVEYS 1,634,246 June 28 1927' D. JONES E AL CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE AND PROCESS INVOLVING THE USE OF THE SAME 1 Filed May 1. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P D E, 0 5, 7

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L. D. JONES ET AL CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE AND PROCESS INVOLVING THE USE OF THE SAME Filed May 1. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NVENTOR Mad/i a. w

B Y 114 M Ma ATTORNEYS Patented June 2a, 1921.

mo 1). Jonas arm ARTHUR n1 AYERS,

SIGNOBS TO THE ill SPECIALTY comm, OI VANIA, CORPORATION 01' DELAWARE.

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Application fled. In 1,

Our invention relates to centrifugal machines and processes involving the use of the same and particularly to such machines and processes wherein certain conditions and effects resulting from the action of centrifutgal force or other forces or conditions may e promoted or prevented or controlled as may be desired.

en a substance is treated in a centrifugal machine to effect certain desired results, such, for example, as the separation of constituents of the substance from one another, or the alteration of the substance or one of its constituents by the action of the centrifugal force itself or by the efl'ect of some reagent acting simultaneously with the centrifugal force, it is desirable or necessary to prevent the occurrence of undesired changes or conditions of the substance or its constituents or to promote desired changes or conditions thereof. Thus when liquid soap is being clarified by the action of centrifugal force or when such substances as water solutions of licorice are being treated in a centrifugal machine the treatment should be carried out in such a manner as to prevent foamin of the substance. This can be accomplis ed by maintaining vacuum upon the substance being treated. And in the clarification of drying or oxidizable oil, e. g. whale oil, or of sour oils before neutralization thereof, and in the treatment of transformer oils, particularly where such oil is drawn from the transformer casing and treated and immediately returned to the easing, the best results are secured when oxidation of the substance being treated is prevented. This can be accomplished by maintaining a reduced pressure u n thesubstance being treated or by rep acing the air that would ordinarily come in contact with the substance being treated by an inert or neutral gas. And in treating materials used in the so-called dry cleaning process to purify those materials, in dewaxing oils that have been diluted with naphtha, and in' treating a volatile substance, loss by evaporation or volatilization or the spreading of injurious or dangerous fumes may be avoided inmost cases by enclosing the substance during centrifugal treatment thereof and may in some cases be more eifectively avoided by maintaining a pressure difl'erent from me. eel-nu n. no).

atmospheric pressure upon the substance bemg centrifugally treated. If it be desirable to promote eva oration of the substance being treated or of sure, above or below atmospheric pressure, but below that at which evaporation would be prevented at the existing temperature, may be maintained upon the substance being treated sub-atmospheric pressure being so maintained if evaporation does not proceed rapidly under atmospheric pressure at such temperature. If the substance being treated contains dissolved gases, the escape thereof can be prevented by maintaining the substance under pressure during treatment, as in the clarification of beer or wine, or the removal thereof can be effected by maintaining the substance under a vacuum during treatment. Or a substance, or a constituent thereof, may be treated with a gaseous agent or a vapor while undergoing centrifugal treatment bymaintaining in contact therewith such agent or vapor. A substance, or a constituent thereof, is in such a very finely divided state as it is discharged from the rotating member of the centrifugal machine that any result sought b the existence of pressure or vacuum or t e presence of an inert or an active gas or vapor is elliciently and readily attained.

From the few instances that are above given, merely-as examples, and of which many others will be apparent, it is clear that while a substance is under centrifugal treatment, changes or conditions therein that are undesirable may be prevented and changes and conditions that are desirable may be effected or promoted by maintaining pressure or vacuum upon the substance or by maintaining an inert or neutral or an active gas in contact therewith, as may be desired.

Our invention has for its object the provision of a centrifugal machine possessin features and advanta s that may be employed in centrifugal mac ines adapted for general purposes and also features and advantages whereby conditions or changes such, for exam 1e, as-those above referred to may be maintained or effected or prevented or controlled as may be desired, a further object being the provision of a process involving the employment of a centrifugal machine and'whereby changes in or conditions of a constituent'thereof a pres substances being treated may be promoted, efl'ected, prevented or controlled, as may be desired.

Other ob'ects and advantages of our invention wili be apparent from the following description of our process and of apparatus containing one embodiment of our invention and from the description of the mode of operation of such apparatus.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation, with parts in section, of a centrifugal machine embodying and suitable for the practice of our invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation taken from the right side of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. top view of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner of feeding and withdrawing material from the construction shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View of a modified form of seal for the power shaft;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of another modification of the seal;

Fi 8 is a sectional view of line 88 of Fig.

Fig. 9 shows a modification of means for evacuating a discharge tank.

It being understood that the construction herein described is merely an example of apparatus that embodies our invention and whereby it may be practiced, it will be seen upon reference to Fig. 1 that the centrifugalbowl 1, which may be of any form and as shown is a bowl of the separator type, is provided with an inlet opening 2 which may be, as shown, at the bottom of the bowl and with outlets 3 and 4 which may be, as shown, at the upper end of the bowl. As is customary, each outlet is controlled by a weir in order that the proper hydrostatic balance may be maintained within the bowl. In the construction shown the circular dam 5 controls the outlet 4 and the circular dam 6 controls the outlet 3. Of course if mere clarification. wherein one constituent of a mixture is to be retained within the bowl, is to be carried out, discharge from one or the other outlet may be prevented by adjustment of its controlling dam. Whatever is discharged from the outlet 4 is collected in the compartment7 and whatever is discharged from the outlet 3 is collected in the compartment 8. The bowl is supported through the stem 9 as hereinafter described.

Completely enclosing the separator bowl and its collectin compartments is a substantially closed casing 10 that is provided with a hand hole 10 normally closed by the cover 11 in order that parts may be introduced into the casing and removed therefrom and adjustments made therein. Extending through the side of the casing and attached thereto is an inlet member 12, called the drag assembly, into the passage 13 of which leads the supply pipe 14. The nozzle 12 of the inlet member directs the substance to be treated into the opening 2 of the bowl. The inlet member 12 carries centering means indicated at 15that may be of any known construction and that cooperates with the lower end of the bowl to center the bowl as it rotates. A lubricant is introduced through the pipe 16 to the centering mechanism at 15.

The casing is formed with extensions 10 respectively having passages 20 and 20' to which are respectively connected discharge pipes 21 and 21'. The compartments for collecting substances discharged from the bowl have outlet spouts 20' and 20 respectively leading to the passages 20 and 20'. The atmosphere within the casing 10 will vary as to temperature, pressure, moisture, and chemical activity according to the effect that is sought to be made upon the substance undergoing treatment therein and for these reasons it is desirable to have the motor that drives the centrifuge located outside of the casing and such an arrangement is also desirable because the motor requires ventilation. Any spark produced in the motor would be dangerous if inflammable substances were being treated, and motor lubrication might contaminate substances passing through the centrifugal. And, in order to transmit power to the bowl, account must be taken of the desire to maintain various pressures within the casing and of the fact that the bowl and parts directly connected to it are subject to vibration by reason of the rotation of the bowl that may be in the neighborhood of 15,000 R. P. M. The motor driven pulley 22 has running over it the belt 23 tightened by the belt tightening idler 24. The belt passes around the pulley 25 that is provided with an extended hub or quill or hollow shaft 26. The power shaft 26 is supported by a hearing such as the ball bearing 27 that is carried by the bearing support 28 that is mounted in and forms a part of the casing 10. Between the hollow shaft 26 and the casing a seal is provided to prevent or control the escape of gas or air around the shaft 26. In the construction shown the bearing support 28 has a downward extension 29 and a seal is provided between the shaft 26 and the inner surface of the downward extension 29. This seal may be constructed in various ways. In Fig. 4 the s ace between the shaft 26 and the downwar extension 29 provides a gland having at its inner end a washer 30 that supports an inner packing member 31. An outer packing member 32 is spaced from the inner packing member 31 by a ring 33 that is spaced from the shaft 26 to provide the chamber 34 and is provided with an outer groove.35 that communicates with the chamber 34 through the p cs 36. The gland nut 37 compresses the packing members 31 to any desired degree. A. passage 38 through the extension 29 communicates with the groove 35 and'has connected to it the pipe 39 whereby the ressure in the chamber 34 ma be regu ated or the chamber may be supp ied with fluid. If pressure is to be maintained within the casing 10 an equal or sli htly greater ressure in the chamber 34 wii prevent any eakage around the shaft 26; and a. pressure in the chamber 34 that is only slightly less than the pressure within the casing 10 will so reduce the differential of pressures in the casing 10 and the chamber 34 that leakage around the shaft 26 will be prevented or negligible. In either case any leakage around the packingmember 31 would be only leakage of whatever gas is supplied to the chamber 34 through the pipe 39. Liquid introduced into or under pressure within the chamber 34 will assist in effecting a seal around the shaft 26. Or a vacuum may be maintained in the chamber 34. It can be, readily determined whether it is most desir-' able to have pressure or vacuum or a liquid in the chamber 34 but, in any event, leakage around the shaft 26 will be prevented or drawn oil and loss or atmospheric pollution prevented.

In Fig. 6 a seal of the labyrinth type is shown for prevention of leakage between the shaft 26 and the casing 10. A cylindrical member 40 provided with many circumferential ridges 41 and having gaskets 42 at the upper and lower ends thereof is held on to the shaft 26 by a nut 43. Gas or liquid may be maintained between member 40 and a corresponding member 44 that has on its inner face circumferential rid cs 45 that extend between the ridges 41, an is positioned within the downward extension 29 of 'the bearing support 28. The member 44 is made in two parts connected to ether by dowels or screws 46 or both in or er that the menibers 40 and 44 may be assembled. The circuitous or labyrinth path between the outer surface of the member 40 and the inner surface of the member 44 will retard or prevent leakage between the shaft 26 and the casing 10. The outer member 44 has gaskets 47 at its upper and lower ends and is held in place by the nut 48. e

The seal between the shaft 26 and the easing 10 may be in the form of a liquid seal and in Fig. 7 we have shown one embodiment of such a construction. The sleeve 49 is held between gaskets 50 on the shaft 26 bly means of a nut 51. Carried upon the s eeve 49 is a disk 52 that is ositioned within the annular chamber 53 o the downward extension 29 of the bearing support 28. Liquid is maintained in the chamber 53 as more fully hereinafter described and the disk 52 carries impeller vanes, for example, the

curved vanes 54 that are so formed and positioned upon the disk that they impel fluid within the chamber 53 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pressure would normally tend to move the fluid in chamber 53. Thus assuming that there is a pressure in the casing 10, fluid will be supplied through the inlet 55 and be conducted to the chamber 53 below the disk 52 and be thrown outward in the chamber 53 by reason of the rotation of the disk 52 so that gas passing u ward between the sleeve 49 and the inner ace of the downward extension 29' will be prevented from escaping from the casin 10. In order to assist in maintaining a s ciently large body of. liquid in the chamber 53 and in contact with the rotating disk 52, the vanes 54 are placed on the upper side of the disk 52 and as they tend to throw the liquid outward they tend to move the liquid in the direction opposite to the direction in which a pressure within the casing is tending to move it. An excess liquid may be discharged through t 'e pipe 56, or the pipe 95 that carries away oil that is fed to the bearings through the pipe 96. If there is a vacuum within the casing, flow would ordinarily be downward between the sleeve 49 and the inner face of the extension 29' so the impeller vanes 54 would be located on the under side of the disk 52 and fluid would be introduced through the pipe 56 and any excess li uid would collect in the annular channel 5 point within or outside of the casing by means of the pipe 58. The parts of the ex tension 29' are held together by bolts 59.

The head of the bowl 1 is, as is usual, provided with a stem 9 that is connected with a spindle 60 in a well known manner and the upper end of the s indle is connected to the driving pulley or ot er prime mover 25. The particular construction of the bearing by which the shaft 26 is supported and the connection between the spindle 60 and the pulley 25 form no part of our present invention and they are more particularly described in the application of Arthur U. Ayres filed April 6, 1925, Serial No. 20,961. But it is to be noted that while the centrifugal bowl is entirely enclosed, power from a source outside of the enclosure is transmitted to the bowl through mechanism, a part of which, e. g. shaft 26, is firmly supported from the bearin while another part, e. g. the spindle 60 is me to partake of such vibration and flexure as may result from the rapid rotation of the bowl; The seal that prevents leakage where the transmitting mechanism passes through the casing is located between the casin and a part of the power transmitting mep anism, e. g. shaft 26, that is relatively free of vibration. The upper end of the pulley is closed by a cap 25'.

It will thus be apparent that while by plea and be conducted to some desired 1 ing the motor outside of the casing we have avoided the many difficulties that would arise if the motor were placed within the casing, we have nevertheless provided a seal for the transmitting mechanism that extends into the caring and we have avoided the difficulties that would arise if it were attempted to seal a part of the transmitting mechanism that par-takes ot' the vibrations and flexure due to the rapid rotation of the bowl. The valved pipe 100 is provided for draining the easing 10.

In Fig. 5 we have shown diagrammatically certain connections and devices whereby the feeding and discharging of substances to and from the casing may be efi'ected while the pressure or vacuum therein is maintained or controlled as desired. A chamber or header T0 is connected to a vacuum pump V or a pressure pump P. \Vhen the valve 71 is opened and the valve 7:2 closed a vacuum will be created in the chamber and when the valve 72 is opened and the valve 71 is closed pressure will be created in the chamber 70. A supply tank Shaving an inlet controlled by the valve I and a vent controlled by the valve 73 is connected to the chamber 70 by a pipe controlled by the valve 74. The pipe 61 leading lrom the casing to the chamber 70 is controlled by the valve 75. The discharge pipes 21 and 21' lead from the casing to discharge tanks D, D. Vent pipes leading from the discharge tanks to the chamber 70 are controlled by the valves 76 and 7 7. Each discharge tank D has an outlet T8 that may lead to any desired point. Flow from each tankDthrough its outlet 78 is controlled as by a valve 79, the opening and closing of which is depend ent upon the level of liquid in the tank D. For example, valve 79 may be controlled by a float F operating the lever 80. An alternate method of emptying a tank D, that is used particularly when there is a vacuum within the tank D, consists in closing the valve 81 and permitting an extension 82 of the float operated lever to actuate a controlling device T of a prime mover M that in turn actuates an exhausting pump E. The pipe 39 leading to the space between the packing members 31 and 32 may be conlltt'ied in any manner to the vacuum pump or the pressure pump P or to a source of li uid supply as may be desired. The pipe it;conductinglubricant to the guiding mechanism 15 may be supplied and controlled in any known manner.

It the centrifugal treatment is to be car ried out with pressure, above that of the atmosphere, in the casing C the supply tank is closed by the closing of the valves I and T3 and pressure is created in the chamber 70. The valve 75 is opened to permit pressure to accumulate in the casing C and in the discharge tanks D and the valves 74, 76

and 77 are opened in order to equalize the pressures in the tanks S and D and the easing C. The supply to the centrifugal machine is controlled by the valve S" and constituents of the substance treated pass through the discharge pipes 21 and 21 into the discharge tanks until the level therein is sufficiently high to raise the valve 79 and permit flow through the outlets 78, the valves 81 of which are open. If the centrifugal treatment is to be carried out with a vacuum existing in the casing C the valves 81 of the outlets 78 are closed and a vacuum is created in the chamber 70 by means of the pump V. As the level rises in the discharge tanks D the floats F will raise the valves 79 and actuate the control devices T in such a way as to cause the pumps E to withdraw liquid from the tanks D and discharge it through the pipes 83 into the outlet 78. Under certain conditions it may be desirable to have atmospheric pressure in the tank S when there is a vacuum in the casing C and then the valve T4 is closed and the valve 73 opened. It the centrifugal treatment is to be carried out under atmospheric pressure but still while the casing C is closed off from the surrounding atmosphere there will be neither pressure nor vacuum in the chamber 70 but the various vent pipes will permit of the desired flow. The supply may be t'rom a point below the level of the casing C such as the tank S that has an inlet valve 1' and a valve 73' corresponding to the valves I and 73 of the tank S. Flow from tank S to the casing is controlled by the valve S If it is desiredto carry out the centrifugal treatment in the presence of an inert or other gas such a gas may be sup plied by pump P at either atmospheric pressure or some greater pressure or after the system is filled with such a gas the pressure thereof may be reduced.

It will be apparent that because of the very high speeds encountered in connection with centrifugal treatment of substances and the proportionately great pressures and forces incident thereto that certain conditions that arise by reason of forces, speeds, or possible agitation may either be utilized in ettecting a desired change or ma interfere with the attainment of the desired result and that it is therefore desirable to control such conditions. for example, the tendency of a substance to foam. And when a substance or constituent of a substance is discharged at very high speed from the rotating bowl it is discharged in such an extremely finely divided form that outside influences act upon the substance very readily. For example, the presence of air may oxidize a substance. e. g. whale oil, or transformer oils, or sour oils, or the presence of another gas may readily effect a desired change and in accordance with our invention, we intend that the finely divided state of the discharged substance or constituent may be taken advantage of in effecting a treatment of that substance or constituent.

by a gas or in order to eflect evaporation, such evaporation being preferably efi'ected by maintaining a suitable pressure in the space where the substance exists in finely divided form as an incident of its discharge from the centrifugal machine.

The fact that the casing C is closed except r controlled openings therein makes it possible to carry out centrifugal treatment without any chance that vapors or gases will be lost or will pollute the surrounding atmosphere. And such closed condition of the casing makes it possible to carry out the cen trifugal treatment under pressure or vacuum or in the presence of a gas of desired chemical properties in accordance with the principles and for the attainment of the results above described.

While we have described certain arrangements for controlling the pressure within the casing C under certain conditions of feeding and discharging, such control being efl'ecte by the maintenance of'pressure or vacuum or atmospheric pressure 1n the supply'tanks and discharge tanks, it will be apparent that other arrangements of vents and other setting of valves are possible so that there 1s such equalization of pressures within the various tanks and the casing as will permit of the desired flow of the substance being treated.

From the foregoing it will vbe apparent that we have disclosed apparatus and a process whereby the various alterations and conditions above set out, and others that will be apparent, of the substance being treated, or the constituents thereof, may be effected or prevented or controlled as. desired. And while we have described such apparatus and process in considerable detail, we do not intend to be limited to such details but we intend that our invention shall be susceptible of such variations and modifications as fall within the hereunto appended claims. It will also be apparent that we have provided a process and apparatus whereby the condi tion of a substance being centrifugally treated is maintained constant or preserved or altered, e. g. foaming, oxidation and loss of dissolved gases are prevented and evaporation or chemical change is furthered or prevented, by controlling or regulating the condition, e. g. pressure, moisture, chemical activit or inactivity, etc., of the atmosphere within which the centrifugal treatment takes place. While we have shown several types of devices for sealing the power transmitting mechanism where it passes into the casing, such devices are described for the purpose of illustrating the principles of our invention whereby such seals may be formed and made efl'ective but we do not intend to be limited to the construction shown. A'possible modification of means for evacuating the dischar e tank D is shown in Fig. 9 wherein the tani D is supplied with fluid through the pi 21 and is vented by the pipe 76' and fluid 1s withdrawn from the tank by the pump E. Fluid will be withdrawn from the tank D through the 78 and leaves the pump E through pipe 8', but in order to prevent the pump from drawing air when the tank D is em ty a by-pass 90 extends around the um from pipe 78110 pipe 7 8' and the oat opens the valve 91 in e by-pass 90 when the liquid level in tank D dro s so that liquid will pass from the pipe 7 8' ack to the pipe 78 an prevent the pump from entirely emptying the tank D regardless of whether fluid is flowing into the tank D or not.

When a substance composed of one or more constituents is subjected to the action of centrifugal force to eflect an change above referred to or for the emu slficatlon thereof, or breaking of emulsions, or re,- moval of impurities, or other changes constantl increasing in number with the applicatlon of the principles of centrifugal treatment to additional industrial operations, and discharged from the influence of centrifugal force in dis ersed state, any one or more of a large num er of changes in the substance may occur that can, as desired, be prevented or promoted, or caused, in accordance with our invention, by controlling the pressure, chemical properties, moisture, temperature, and other properties of the atmoshere within which the substance is subected to centrifugal force and withinwhich it is so discharged. Our invention contemplates such control of the condition of a substance centrifugally treated by regulation of the above-mentioned conditions of the atmosphere acting upon the substance while it is being treated and while it is in dis ersed state. While a substance is in the is ersed state in which it is discharged it is highly sensitive to the conditions of the atmosphere surrounding it and in the gppl cation of the ap licant Leo D. Jones, erlal No. 506,165, file October 7th, 1921, themes claimed control of the condition of a substance centrifugally treated b regulation of the conditions of the atmosp ere which is in contact with the substance while it is in dis ersed form and that afpplication specifi- 031i; claims regulation 0 the tem erature of the atmosphere contacting the ispersed dischar Our invention contemplates control of t e congition of a subsfiance centrifull treated re ating t e pressure or l ieliiical propeities br both of the atmosphere in contact with the dispersed dischar It is therefore apparent that regardifss of what, if any, c ange or separation is efi'ected by the action of centrifugal force our invention contemplates the regulation of the pressure or chemical properties of the atmosphere either in the bowl or in the receiving covers, or in both. That species of our invention which involves the regulation of pressure and the tight enclo sure to prevent escape of vapors or gases from the substance being treated and the effecting of evaporation by regulation of the pressure to some point, above or below atmospheric pressure, but below the pressure that would prevent evaporation at the existing temperature, is claimed in Letters Patent No. 1,575,061, granted to us March 2nd, 1926, together with claims for our apparatus. In another division of this application, namely, our application Ser. No. 183,534, filed April 13th, 1927, we claim that species of our invention which involves the use of sub'atmospheric pressure, one effect of which is the promotion of evaporation of substances that do not evaporate rapidly at atmospheric pressure under the existing temperature, and we claim the preventing of oxidation by the use of sub-atmospheric pressure in connection with a substance cen trifugally treated and discharged in dispersed form. The nature of the control of the atmospheric conditions will depend upon the change that is sought to be promoted or prevented and will vary under the circumstances existing in each case and in accordance with the laws of chemistry and physics. To this end the chemical activity or inactivity of the controlled atmosphere with respect to the substance and the solubility or insolubility and the pressure and temperature of the controlled atmosphere with respect to the articular substance will be taken into consi eration. If a substance is treated that will oxidize in the presence of oxygen the atmosphere may consist of carbon-dioxide unless that gas is too readil soluble in the substance treated in whic 1 case a less soluble but chemically inert gas would be desirable. If the substance being treated contains dissolved gas the pressure of the controlled atmosphere will be reduced if it is desired to remove that gas and it will be increased and consist of the dissolved as in case it is desired to retain or add to t e gas dissolved in the substance being treated. In the clarification of drying oil such as fish oil, linseed oil includin varnish compounds derived therefrom, an insulat ing oils, the controlled atmosphere should consist of nitrogen or carbon-dioxide. Aqueous solutions that absorb oxygen and which are preferably treated in an atmosphere of nitrogen are yrogallic acid, sodium sulphite and hydioquinone. Such substances as lime water or solutions of calcium oxide or calcium hydrate or sodium h drate or potassium hydrate which actively absorb is desirable in many cases where an inactive atmosphere is desired and even helium and argon can be used. In the handling of petroleum products, the atmosphere might consist of methane, natural gas, coal gas. or mixed gases from petroleum stills. In any event the character of the atmosphere is determined by the question whether it is sought to prevent or promote a chemical change and whether it is sought to promote or prevent a physical change such as preventing escape of dissolved gases from or dissolving a gas within the substance that is being treated. In many cases it is only necessary to enclose the centrifugal machine or to control the circulation of gases through the receiving receptacles as the substance tieated will roduce, as by evaporation or escape of dissolved gas, the desired atmosphere. Thus in handling gasoline an enclosed centrifuge or closed receiving re ceptacles prevent dangerous escape of products of evaporation. If the atmosphere Within the bowl and also within the recep tacle is to be controlled the centrifuge may be enclosed in a casing having controlled outlets and inlets as herein described, or a circulation of as of the desired character may be maintained in any way within the receiving receptacles. Thus, if it be desired to prevent change in a substance passing through the centrifugal machine the atmosphere in both the bowl and the collecting receptacles, or only in the collecting receptacles or either of them, may consist of such usual inert gases as carbon dioxide. or nitrogen, or steam, or water vapor; but if the discharged liquid absorbs those fluids to an undesirable extent another less soluble fluid may be used such as vapor of the substance passing through the centrifugal machine.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the process which comprises centrifugally subsiding and centrifugally discharging the substance in a dispersed state, and suitably regulating the conditions of the atmosphere within which the substance is centrifugally subsided and so discharged to control the condition of the substance during subsidence and during and after discharge thereof.

2. In the centrifugal treatment of substances the rocess which comprises effecting a desired change in a substance by subjecting it to the action of centnifugal force and centrifugally discharging the changed substance in dispersed form from the influence of centrifugal force and suitably regulating the conditions of the atmosphere within which the substance is centrifugally treated and so discharged to control the condition of the substance during such treatment and discharge thereof.

3. In the centrifu al treatment of a substance the process w ich comprises subjecting the substance to the action of centrifugal force to effect a desired change in the substance and to discharge the substance in dis ersed form from the influence of the centri ugal force, and suitably regulating the chemical properties of the atmosphere within which the substance is so discharged to prevent undesirable alteraton of the substance while it exists in the dispersed state in which it is discharged.

4. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the rocess which comprises efiecting a desired change in a substance by subjecting it to the action of centrifugal force and centrifugally discharging the changed substance in displersed form, and suita ly regulating the c emical properties of the atmdsphere within which the substance is so discharged to control the condition of the substance during discharge thereof.

5. In the centrifugal treatment of substances the process which comprises efl'ecting a desired change in a substance by sub jecting it to the action of centrifugal force and centrifugally dischargin the changed substance in dispersed form om the influence of centrifugal force, and suitably regulating the chemical properties of the atmoshere within which the substance is sub ected to centrifugal force and s0 discharged to control the condition of the substance during centrifugal treatment and discharge thereof.

6. In the centrifu al treatment of a substance the process w ich comprises subjecting the substance to the action of centrifuga force to effect a desired change in the substance and to discharge the substance in dispersed form from the influence of the centrifugal force, and suitably regulating the chemical properties and pressure of the atmosphere within which the substance is so discharged to control the condition of the substance so discharged.

7. In the centrifugal treatment of substances the rocess which comprises eflecting a desired change in a substance by subjecting it to the action of centrifugal force and centrifugally discharging the changed substance from the influence of centrifugal force, and suitably regulating the chemical properties and pressure of the atmosphere within which the substance is so discharged to control further chan e in the substance durinIg discharge thereoi 8. n the centrifu a1 treatment of a substance the process w ich comprises subjecting the substance to the action of centrifugal force to effect a desired change in the substance and to discharge the substance in dis rsed form from the influence of the centri ugal force, and controlling further change in the substance by suitably regulating the chemical properties of the atmosphere within which the substance is so discharged.

9. In the centrifu a1 treatment of substances the process w ich comprises subjecting a substanceto the action of centrifugal force and thereby efi'ecting a desired change in the substance and discharging the changed substance in dispersed state, and maintaining an atmos here of inert neutral as in contact with t e substance as it exists 1n the dispersed state in which it is centrifugally discharged.

10. In the centrifugal treatment of substances the rocess which comprises subjecting a substance to the action of centrifugal force and thereby efl'ectin V a desired change in the substance and discharging the changed substance in dispersed state, and maintaining in contact with the substance as it exists in the dispersed state in which it is centrifugally discharged a gas having suitable chemical roperties and having a suitable pressure ifl'erential with respect to the surrounding atmosphere to control the condition of the substance so discharged.

11. In the centrifugal treatment of substances the process which comprises subjecting a substance to the action of centrifugal force and thereby effecting a desired change in the substance and discharging the changed substance in 'dis rsed state, and maintaining in contact with the substance as it exists in the dispersedstate in which it is centrifugall discharged an atmosphere of gas ofsuitable chemical properties at sub-atmospheric pressure to control the condition of the substance so discharged.

12. In combination, a centrifugal machine of the type wherein a substance 15 subjected to the action of centrifugal force to eflect a change therein and centrifugally dischar (1 in a dispersed state, and means for regu t' the conditions of the atmosphere within iiiah the substance is subjected to the action of centrifugal force to effect a change therein and within which the substance is centrifugally discharged in a dispersed state.

13. In combination, a centrifugal machine of the type wherein a substance is subjected to the action of centrifugal force to effect a change therein and centrifugally discharged in a dispersed state, and means for regulating the pressure and chemical properties of the acting upon the substance while it 6118138. in the dispersed state in which it isdischarged,

14. In combination, a centrifugal machine of the type wherein a substance is subjected to the action of centrifu al force to efl'ect a change therein and centrifugally dischar ed in a dispersed state, and means for regu ating the chemical properties of the atmosphere within which the substance is subected to the action of centrifugal force to effect a change therein and within which the substance is centrifugally discharged in a dispersed state.

15. In combination, a centrifugal machine ,of the type wherein a substance is sub'ected to the action of centrifugal force to e ect a change therein and centrifugally dischar ed in a dispersed state, and means for disp acin with another gas air in contact with the su stance during such centrifugal treatment and while it exists in such dispersed state.

16. Incombination, a. centrifugal machine of the type wherein a substance is subjected to the action of centrifugal force to effect a change therein and centrifugally dischar ed in a. dispersed state, and means for disp acing with another gas air in contact with the substance while it exists in the finely divided state in which it is discharged.

17. In combination, a centrifugal machine having a bowl wherein a substance is subjected to the action of centrifu a1 force to effect a change therein and centrifugally discharged in a dispersed state, an enclosing casing for the centrifugal bowl, means for conducting the substance into the casing and to the bowl, means for withdrawin the discharged substance from the casing, and means for controlling the chemical properties of the atmosphere within said casing.

18. In a centrifugal machine, a separator bowl for separatin and separately discharging substances un er the action of centrifuga force in a dispersed state, means substantially enclosing said bowl, means for con ducting a substance to said bowl from a point outside of said enclosin means, means for conducting the separate substances out of said enclosing means, and means for controlling the atmospheric conditions within said enclosing means.

19. In combination, a centrifugal machine having a bowl wherein a substance is subjected to the action of centrifugal force to effect a change therein and centrifugally discharged, an enclosure for the bowl, a conduit leading into said enclosure for conducting a substance to said bowl, means for displacing with another gas the air in said enclosure, and means for evacuating said enclosure.

20. In combination, a centrifugal machine having a bowl wherein a substance is subjected to the action of centrifugal force to effect a change therein and centrifugally discharged, an enclosure for the bowl, a conduit leading into said enclosure for conducting a substance to said bowl, and a conduit leading out of said enclosure for withdrawing a substance discharged from said bowl, a ischarge tank into which said last named conduit leads, means for displacing with another gas the air in said enclosure, and means for emptying said discharge tank.

21. In combination, a centrifugal machine of the type wherein a substance is subjected to the action of centrifugal force toeffect a change therein and centrifugally discharged in a dispersed state, and means for regulating the chemical properties of the atmosphere within which the substance exists in the'dispensed state in which it is discharged.

22. In combination, a centrifugal machine of the type wherein a substance is sub'ected to the action of centrifugal force to e ect a change therein and centrifugally discharged in a dispersed state, a compartment for collecting a substance so discharged, and means for displacing with another gas the air within said compartment.

23. In the centrifugal purification of liquids that, in finely divided form, tend to react chemically with air to form an objectionable mixture, the method of preventing the format-ion of such mixture which comprises centrifugally p urifyin the liquid and then discharging it, and su stantially displacing the air in the space adjacent the discharge with a neutral gas which does not tend to react chemically with such liquid and into which the discharging purified liquid is projected and through which it travels.

24. In the process of purifyin liquids in a centrifuge and discharging t em into a separate adjacent rece tacle, where the liquid, in finel divided Form, tends to react chemicall wit air to form an objectionable mixture, t e process which comprises the substantial displacement of atmospheric air in the rece tacle with a neutral gas which does not ten to react chemically with such liquid and so that, currently with the discharge of the liquid from the centrifuge, the same will immediately and while in a finely divided condition enetrate a body of such neutral gas and t ereby be protected, while in such finely divided condition, from contact with air and from such objectionable reaction.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification.

LEO n. JONES. ARTHUR U. AYRES.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,634,246. GrantedJune 28, 1927, to

LEO D. JONES ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 7, line 79, claim 9, strike out the word "inert"; page 8, line 78, claim 21. for the misspelled word "dispensed" read "dispersed"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections 'therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of August, A. D. 1927.

M. J. Moore, Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

